Baseball: Rockford Aviators, Frontier Greys split doubleheader

LOVES PARK — The Rockford Aviators rebounded from an early 5-3 loss against the Frontier Greys on Friday, but rallied back to win the second game 3-2 in Frontier Baseball League action.

In game one, the Greys led 4-0 after four innings. Ryan Zimmerman, who got the start for the Aviators, was credited with the loss as he allowed four runs on two hits, while walking seven.

The Aviators scored three in the bottom of the sixth inning as Brian Bistagne doubled to left-center and scored all three Aviators runners, but Ryan Breen struck out with Bistagne in scoring position and the Aviators went down in order in the seventh as they were unable to complete the rally.

In the nightcap, the Aviators found themselves down early again as the Greys scored single runs in the first and fourth innings to take a 2-0 lead.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Aviators offense got working after every batter had been retired through the first three innings. Jeff Kremer hit a sacrifice fly to left field that scored Tanner Witt from third and then after Edgar Corcino and Kenny Bryant loaded the bases after each being hit by a pitch, Bistagne walked to score the tying run.

Joey Wagman was dominant once again for the Aviators as he picked up his fifth win of the year. He pitched six innings, allowed just two runs on five hits, while walking two and striking out seven.

The Aviators took the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning after Kremer doubled to lead off the inning and was driven in by a RBI double by Bistagne, his second RBI of the night and fifth of the series, and that gave the Aviators a 3-2 lead.

Gerardo Sanchez came in to close the game out for the Aviators and gave up a lead off single and found himself with runners at the corners, but he struck out the final two batters of the game to seal the win for his twelfth save this season.